I'm A Therapist – I've Found 'Worry Time' Is A Powerful Tool For Anxious Kids |
I'm A Therapist – I've Found 'Worry Time' Is A Powerful Tool For Anxious Kids
"Ignoring anxiety doesn’t make it disappear; it often creates more space for it to grow, becoming louder and more persistent."
Worry often creeps in gradually rather than all at once. It can start with a passing comment, an incident at school, or a lingering “what if” that occupies a child’s mind longer than it should.
If left unchecked, this worry can envelop a child’s day, much like ivy wrapping around a tree, tightening its grip.
Anxiety can gradually erode a child’s confidence, sense of safety, and overall ability to enjoy life. It can manifest in various ways, from overt signs such as a child refusing to go to school or avoiding social situations, to more subtle expressions like irritability, sudden outbursts, or a façade of exaggerated confidence that conceals deeper unease.
Parents often find themselves navigating the complex landscape of supporting both neurotypical and neurodivergent children, striving to acknowledge their feelings while preventing those feelings from taking complete control.
The challenge lies in understanding how to give children’s worries the attention they deserve without allowing those worries to dominate their lives.
Ignoring anxiety doesn’t make it disappear; it often creates more space for it to grow, becoming louder and more persistent.
Conversely, giving anxiety constant attention can be equally unhelpful, allowing it to seep into everyday activities, especially during mealtimes, school........